Method for the continuous production of composite elements for use as a radiant ceiling panel

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a radiator body comprising at least one radiant panel having at least one structure suitable for receiving at least one tube, at least one tube located in the structure in order to transport a heating or cooling medium, at least two side parts and at least one layer insulating the radiator body, wherein the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the at least one radiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the at least two side parts is at least 3 and/or the at least two side parts are each decoupled thermally from the at least one radiant panel, as well as to a method for producing the radiant panel according to the invention and to the use of such a radiant panel for heating or cooling.

The present invention relates to a radiator body comprising at least oneradiant panel having at least one structure suitable for receiving atleast one tube, at least one tube located in the structure in order totransport a heating or cooling medium, at least two side parts and atleast one layer insulating the radiator body, wherein the ratio of theaverage cross-sectional area of the at least one radiant panel to thecross-sectional area of the at least two side parts is at least 3 and/orthe at least two side parts are each decoupled thermally from the atleast one radiant panel.

The present invention furthermore relates to a method for producing theradiant panel according to the invention, and to the use of such aradiant panel for heating or cooling, for example in halls such assports halls, exhibition halls, production halls, assembly halls,storage halls, maintenance halls, multipurpose halls, agriculturalhalls, hangars, industrially used buildings or high-bay storagefacilities.

Corresponding radiant panels are already known from the prior art. DE7911399 U1 discloses a radiant ceiling panel comprising tubes throughwhich a heating medium flows. These tubes are connected to one anotherby a common radiant panel. Particularly good heat transfer between thetubes and the radiant panel is ensured by maximization of the contactarea between the panel and the tubes, owing to the fact that the tubesflowed through are shaped ovally or polygonally.

DE 298 13 171 U1 discloses a radiator body containing a steel plate oflarge area provided with indentations, tubular elements which are placedin the indentations and a thermal insulation panel, which insulates thetubes on the opposite side from the metal radiator plate, metaldistributor plates being arranged between the tubular elements andensuring better distribution of the heat from the tubular elements overthe radiant panel.

DE 2035936 discloses a radiant ceiling panel consisting of a tube bankand radiant metal plates fastened thereon. According to this document,the radiant panel is shaped so that each tube carrying the heatingmedium is respectively enclosed by two semicircularly shaped metalplates. Particularly good thermal contact is thus produced between thetubes and the radiant metal plates. DE 10 2009 004 785 A1 discloses aradiant surface structure for controlling the temperature of a room,having one or more tubes of a tube bank, through which tube(s) a heattransfer medium, for example water, flows, a radiant panel and lateralwall elements, between which the tube bank and the radiant panels arearranged. The invention according to this document consists in applyinglaterally inclined skirts which are intended to reflect the heat energyemitted by convection from the lateral parts in the direction of theroom to be thermally regulated.

Radiant panels known from the prior art, in particular radiant ceilingpanels, have the disadvantage that a part of the available radiationenergy is emitted via the lateral parts of the radiant ceiling panels.This radiation energy is not available for the desired heating of theobjects located on the floor or close to the floor of the room to bethermally regulated. Only the radiation energy which is given offdownward will, when encountering solid bodies or liquids, be converteddirectly into heat energy there. For this reason, only the radiationenergy which is given off directly downward will be perceived as“heating” in the vicinity of the floor. In the prior art, it is knownthat the lateral emission, particularly in the case of thermalconvection, can be avoided if for example lateral metal plates areapplied which guide the thermal radiation, which is given off laterally,in the direction of the room to be thermally regulated. The radiantceiling panels which are known from the prior art, however, are notsusceptible of improvement in respect of the radiant power in thedirection of the room to be thermally regulated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a radiatorbody, in particular a radiant ceiling panel, usable for heating orcooling, in which a particularly large proportion of the availableradiation energy, that is to say heating or cooling energy, is given offin the direction of the room to be thermally regulated, and aparticularly small proportion of this radiation energy is emittedineffectively sideways or upward. It is furthermore an object of thepresent invention to provide a radiator body which is distinguished by aparticularly simple structure, so that methods and devices forproduction can likewise be configured as simply as possible.

Said objects are achieved by a radiator body comprising at least oneradiant panel having at least one structure suitable for receiving atleast one tube, at least one tube located in the structure in order totransport a heating or cooling medium, at least two side parts and atleast one layer insulating the radiator body, wherein

the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the at least oneradiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the at least two side partsis at least 3

and/or

the at least two side parts are each decoupled thermally from the atleast one radiant panel.

The radiator body according to the invention is distinguished in thatthe lateral emission of energy is minimized. This is achieved accordingto the invention by the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of theat least one radiant panel, which preferably forms the bottom of theradiator body according to the invention, to the cross-sectional area ofthe at least two side parts being set to a particular minimum value. Inanother embodiment, which also provides the effect that the lateralemission of energy is minimized, the at least two side parts providedaccording to the invention are each thermally decoupled from the atleast one radiant panel, which preferably forms the bottom of theradiator body according to the invention. According to the invention, itis also possible for both said measures to be implemented, in order tominimize the lateral emission of energy particularly efficiently.

The general structure of the radiator body according to the invention,and the preferred embodiments, will be described in more detail below.

The radiator body according to the invention may be used for heating orfor cooling. The general structure essentially does not differ for thetwo applications. Depending on whether heating or cooling is intended tobe carried out, a heat transport medium at a different temperature willbe used.

The radiator body according to the invention may be installed in roomsof buildings, in order to thermally regulate these roomscorrespondingly. It is in this case possible for the radiator bodyaccording to the invention to be installed on the ceiling and/or on thewalls.

Radiant ceiling panels, i.e. radiator bodies, which are preferablyinstalled on the ceiling, are already known from the prior art, inparticular from the documents cited above. Radiant ceiling panels aregenerally used for heating or cooling in corresponding premises with alarge internal height. To this end, the fact that radiation energyresulting in heat energy is emitted from the radiant ceiling panels isutilized. It is not until it encounters a body, for example human oranimal, floor, machines, equipment, and therefore all liquid and solidobjects that this radiation energy is converted into heat energy, i.e. aheating or cooling sensation is perceived. Since the objects exposed tothis type of heating or cooling are heated or cooled, a subjective senseof well-being is felt. An advantage of heating or cooling rooms with aparticularly large internal height is that the heat is generated whereit is used, i.e. in the vicinity of the floor. Only a small proportionof the heat energy is generated at large heights, where there is noneed. The use of known heating fans has the disadvantage that the air isheated and then needs to be moved. This air movement produces adisadvantageous breeze in the room to be heated. In addition, the hotair rises and is therefore no longer available for heating the room.

The radiator body according to the invention generally comprises atleast one radiant panel having at least one structure suitable forreceiving at least one tube, at least one tube located in the structurein order to transport a heating or cooling medium, at least two sideparts and at least one layer insulating the radiator body.

In general, the radiant panel may be located at any suitable position ofthe radiator body according to the invention, for example on the upperside or the lower side; in a preferred embodiment, the radiant panelforms the bottom, i.e. the lower boundary and/or covering of theradiator body according to the invention, or the upper boundary and/orcovering of the radiator body according to the invention. In aparticularly preferred embodiment, the radiant panel provided accordingto the invention forms the bottom of the radiator body according to theinvention.

The present invention therefore preferably relates to the radiator bodyaccording to the invention, wherein the at least one radiant panel formsthe bottom.

In this particularly preferred embodiment, the radiant panel forms thelower boundary of the radiator body according to the invention, i.e. allthe other components such as tubes, structures, insulation andoptionally thermal decoupling means etc. lie inside and/or above theradiant panel when the radiator body is being used in the intended wayas a radiant ceiling panel, and lie inside and/or behind the radiantpanel when the radiator body according to the invention is being usedaccording to the invention as a radiant wall panel.

The radiant panel may generally be made of any material known to theperson skilled in the art which is suitable for emitting radiationenergy.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one radiantpanel forming the bottom is made of a uniform material. In anotherpossible embodiment of the present invention, the at least one radiantpanel forming the bottom is constructed from a plurality of differentmaterials, for example in the form of a composite material in layer formcomprising, for example, known plastics and/or minerals, or ceramics,for example enameled high-temperature stable duromers or thermoplastics.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one radiant panel forming thebottom is made of a metal. Preferably, at least one radiant panelforming the bottom is made of a material selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum, copper, iron, in particular steel, zinc, tin,lead and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, there may be furtherpanels, preferably graphite panels, as a further layer between the tubesand the radiant panel, which preferably forms the bottom.

The present invention therefore relates in particular to a radiator bodyaccording to the invention, wherein the at least one radiant panelforming the bottom is a material selected from the group consisting ofaluminum, copper, iron, in particular steel, more preferably galvanizedsteel, zinc, tin, lead and mixtures thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one radiant panelforming the bottom is made of one of said materials, in particular ofcopper and/or iron, in particular steel, more preferably galvanizedsteel. In a preferred embodiment, the radiant panel is coated on atleast one side, preferably on the side facing the room to be thermallyregulated, for example using a coating material known to the personskilled in the art, containing for example groups such as urethanes,acrylates, epoxides and/or esters, or powder coatings by means ofbaking.

In a preferred embodiment, the radiator body according to the inventioncomprises precisely one radiant panel, which more preferably forms thebottom. In a particular embodiment, this precisely one radiant panel maybe divided into individual segments in the lengthwise direction. Thisembodiment is also to be understood as a radiant panel in the context ofthe present invention.

According to the present invention, the at least one radiant panel ispreferably formed from plates of the aforementioned metals. Thethickness of the radiant panel is in this case generally to be adaptedso that maximal radiation energy is possible, and at the same time theweight of the radiator body according to the invention is not too high.Furthermore, the thickness of the radiant panel should be selected so asto ensure the feature according to the invention that the ratio of theaverage cross-sectional area of the at least one radiant panel to thecross-sectional area of the at least two side parts is at least 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one radiant panel has athickness of from 0.1 to 5.0 mm, preferably from 0.2 to 2.0 mm,particularly preferably from 0.3 to 1.0 mm, for example 0.8 mm. In thecase according to the invention that polyurethane foams are used asinsulating material, these being adhesively bonded to the othercomponents such as tubes and metal emitting plate(s), the metal platescan be thinner than when using mineral wool, since polyurethane can makea structural contribution.

The width of the at least one radiant panel having at least onestructure suitable for receiving at least one tube is in principle notrestricted, so long as the aforementioned specification according to theinvention of the first embodiment is complied with.

According to the invention, the average cross-sectional area of the atleast one radiant panel is estimated for the ratio essential to theinvention in the first embodiment of the average cross-sectional area ofthe at least one radiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the atleast two side parts. The average cross-sectional area is calculatedaccording to the invention from the average width of the radiant panelprovided according to the invention, and its thickness.

The term average width according to the invention is intended accordingto the invention to mean the ratio of the total width of the at leastone radiant panel, i.e. the projection width, divided by the number ofsections between the tubes provided, i.e. the number of tubes plus 1,for transporting a heating or cooling medium. According to theinvention, therefore, the average width describes the distance betweentwo tubes, or the distance between a side part and the outer tube. Theaverage cross-sectional area of the at least one radiant panel is thencalculated as the product of the average width of the radiant panel andthe thickness of this radiant panel.

According to the invention, the average width may be selected withoutrestriction as is suitable for the embodiment in question, so long asthe aforementioned feature essential to the invention of the firstembodiment is satisfied.

For example, the average width of the at least one radiant panel is from80 to 200 mm, preferably from 85 to 180 mm, particularly preferably from95 to 160 mm.

This, and the aforementioned thickness of the at least one radiant panelforming the bottom, gives an average cross-sectional area according tothe invention of in general from 8 to 1000 mm², preferably from 17 to360 mm², particularly preferably from 28.5 to 160 mm².

The width of the radiant panel according to the invention is intendedaccording to the invention to mean the extent perpendicular to thedirection of the tubes provided for transporting a heating medium, andis understood as the projection width. The width of the radiant panel isfor example from 150 to 1300 mm, preferably from 300 to 900 mm.

The length of the at least one radiant panel according to the inventionis intended according to the invention to mean the extent in thedirection of the tubes provided for transporting a heating or coolingmedium.

The length of the at least one radiant panel is not restricted accordingto the invention, and is for example from 4000 mm to 8000 mm. By virtueof the production method according to the invention as explained below,it is in principle possible to produce infinitely long radiator bodies.In practice, however, the length of the radiator bodies according to theinvention is limited by the necessary transport from the site ofmanufacture to the installation site, and is for example at most 12,000mm.

In one embodiment of the radiator body according to the invention, theradiant panel, which preferably forms the bottom, has a curved shape inorder to guide the thermal radiation in the direction of the room to bethermally regulated. The curvature is preferably shaped concavely in thedirection of the room to be thermally regulated.

The radiant panel provided according to the invention contains at leastone structure suitable for receiving at least one tube. The shape ofthis structure is not restricted according to the invention. It ispossible and preferred according to the invention for this structuringto be an indentation, i.e. the radiant panel is deformed in thedirection of the room to be thermally regulated so as to receive atleast one tube. According to the invention, it is also possible for thestructure to be a protuberance, i.e. the radiant panel is deformed awayfrom the direction of the room to be thermally regulated so as toreceive at least one tube.

Advantageously, this at least one structure is shaped semicircularly,triangularly or rectangularly. Corresponding structures may be formed inthe at least one radiant panel by pressing, cold forming or hot forming.

According to the invention, it is preferred that the structures toreceive the tubes should be formed so that the tubes are arranged on theside of the radiant panel which faces away from the room to be thermallyregulated. At the same time, this side is preferably also the side onwhich the insulation according to the invention is applied. Thestructures preferably extend along the lengthwise extent of the radiantpanel, particularly preferably mutually parallel and parallel to thelengthwise extent of the radiant panel, if there is more than onestructure. In another preferred embodiment, there is a tube fortransporting a heating or cooling medium in each structure provided, sothat the arrangement of the tubes preferably corresponds to thearrangement of the structures.

The tubes provided according to the invention for transporting a heatingor cooling medium are known per se to the person skilled in the art, andmay for example be made of materials, in particular metals, selectedfrom the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, in particularsteel, zinc, tin, lead and mixtures thereof.

In general, the length of the at least one tube provided corresponds tothe length of the radiant panel according to the invention. In apreferred embodiment, the length of the at least one tube provided isfrom 10 to 200 mm, preferably from 15 to 150 mm, particularly preferablyfrom 20 to 100 mm longer than the length of the radiant panel. It isthus possible to connect the tubes at the end of the radiator bodyaccording to the invention to other tubes, for example a feed anddischarge of the heating or cooling medium, or further radiator bodies.In an advantageous embodiment, the tubes are only a little longer thanthe radiant panel according to the invention, preferably only from 15 to150 mm, particularly preferably from 20 to 100 mm. The effect therebyachieved according to the invention is that only a small heat loss takesplace via this thermal bridge. This advantage is further reinforced withthe particularly long radiator bodies according to the invention, sincefewer junction pieces are needed owing to the long length.

Tube diameters suitable according to the invention are for example from¼″ to 5″, preferably from ½″ to 2″. The thickness of the tube wall is,for example, from 0.5 to 5 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tube for transporting aheating medium is in contact, preferably in intimate contact, with theat least one structure provided in the radiant panel. This allowsparticularly effective energy exchange between the tube with the heatingor cooling medium and the radiant panel. According to the invention, thetube provided may be connected to the radiant panel by all methods knownto the person skilled in the art, for example welding, soldering,clamping or rabetting.

According to the invention, the at least one radiant panel forming thebottom comprises at least one structure suitable for receiving tubes.Preferably, there are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 structures in theradiant panel. In a particularly preferred embodiment, these structuresare provided in a parallel arrangement. In another preferred embodiment,there is at least one tube for transporting a heating medium in each ofthe structures provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the radiator body according to the inventionfurthermore comprises at least two side parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the radiator body according to theinvention, there is a side part respectively on each lengthwise side ofthe radiant panel according to the invention.

The side parts provided according to the invention may in general bemade of any material known to the person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least two side partsare made of a uniform material. In another possible embodiment of thepresent invention, the at least two side parts are constructed from aplurality of different materials, for example in the form of a compositematerial in layer form comprising, for example, known plastics, foamedor in a compact form, for example polyolefins or rubbers, board and/orminerals, or ceramics, for example enameled high-temperature stableduromers or thermoplastics.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least two side parts are made of ametal. The at least two side parts preferably comprise a materialselected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, inparticular steel, more preferably galvanized steel, zinc, tin, lead andmixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least two side parts consist of thesame material as the at least one radiant panel forming the bottom. In aparticularly preferred embodiment, the two side parts preferablyprovided and the radiant panel, i.e. preferably the bottom of theradiator body according to the invention, are one component, the sideparts being formed by folding the edges of the component in thelengthwise direction.

The radiator body according to the invention generally comprises atleast two side parts, and the radiator body according to the inventionpreferably comprises precisely two side parts, there respectively beinga side part on each lengthwise edge of the radiant panel. The apertureangle upward between the radiant panel and a side part is in this casefor example from 30 to 175°, preferably from 45 to 135°, particularlypreferably from 85 to 95°.

According to the present invention, the at least two side parts arepreferably made of plates of the aforementioned metals. The thickness ofthe side parts is in this case generally to be adapted so that theweight of the radiator body according to the invention is not too great.Furthermore, the thickness of the radiant panel should be selected so asto ensure the feature of the first embodiment according to theinvention, that the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the atleast one radiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the at least twoside parts is at least 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least two side parts each have athickness of from 0.1 to 5.0 mm, preferably from 0.2 to 2.0 mm,particularly preferably from 0.3 to 1.0 mm, for example 0.8 mm. Since ina preferred embodiment the side parts and the radiant panel, preferablythe bottom of the radiator body, are formed from one component, the sideparts and the radiant panel preferably have the same thickness. For thecase according to the invention that the side parts and the radiantpanel are respectively decoupled thermally, the side parts may also havea greater thickness than the radiant panel.

It is also possible according to the invention for the side parts to beformed by folding or flanging a part of the radiant panel through 180°.The height of such a side part then corresponds in principle to twotimes the thickness of the metal plate.

The present invention therefore preferably relates to the radiator bodyaccording to the invention, wherein the at least two side parts eachhave a thickness of from 0.5 to 1.0 mm, preferably from 0.6 to 0.9 mm,for example 0.8 mm.

The height of the at least two side parts is in principle notrestricted, so long as the aforementioned specification according to theinvention of the first embodiment is complied with. For the case whichis possible according to the invention that the side parts are formed byfolding or flanging a part of the radiant panel through 180°, the heightof such a side part then corresponds in principle to two times thethickness of the metal plate.

According to the invention, for the ratio essential to the invention inthe first embodiment of the average cross-sectional area of the at leastone radiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the at least two sideparts, the cross-sectional area of the at least two side parts isconsidered, which is given by the product of the respective thickness ofthe at least two side parts and the height, multiplied by the number ofside parts provided, i.e. preferably times 2.

For example, the heights of the at least two side parts are each from0.2 to 50 mm, preferably from 0.8 to 30 mm, particularly preferably from1 to 28 mm.

For the case in which the at least two side parts merely have athickness of from 0.1 to 0.4 mm, they may have a height of from 50 to100 mm since in this case the feature according to the invention of thefirst embodiment is satisfied.

This, and the aforementioned thickness of the at least two side parts,gives a cross-sectional area according to the invention of in generalfrom 0.1 to 50 mm², preferably from 0.12 to 45 mm², particularlypreferably from 0.16 to 40 mm². This value for a side part needs to bemultiplied by the number of side parts in order to determine the ratioaccording to the invention.

The length of the at least two side parts provided according to theinvention preferably corresponds to the length of the radiant panel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the thicknesses of the at least twoside parts and the thickness of the at least one radiant panel formingthe bottom are equal.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the at least one sidepart is formed by the edges of the radiant panel, i.e. there is not anadditional side part but instead the at least one side part correspondsto the edge of the radiant panel, as seen from the side. In thisembodiment, the height of the at least one side part corresponds to thethickness of the radiant panel. According to the invention, thethickness of the at least one side part in this embodiment is definedwith respect to the numerical value as equal to the thickness of theradiant panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of each of the at least twoside parts is less than the thickness of the at least one radiant panel.

The essential feature according to the invention of the first embodimentaccording to the invention is that the ratio of the averagecross-sectional area of the at least one radiant panel to thecross-sectional area of the at least two side parts is at least 3. In apreferred embodiment, this ratio is at least 4, and particularlypreferably this ratio is at least 5.

For example, this ratio essential according to the invention for thefirst embodiment should be calculated as follows. For the exemplary casein which there is a radiant panel with a width of 450 mm, which has twoindentations for receiving at least one tube and there is a tube in eachindentation, the average distance between the tubes is for example 150mm. With a radiant panel thickness of for example 0.8 mm, the averagecross-sectional area of the radiant panel is therefore 120 mm².

For example, two side parts with a height of 25 mm and a thickness of0.8 mm are provided. This gives a cross-sectional area of the at leasttwo laterally applied side parts equal to 2 20 mm², corresponding to 40mm².

The ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the at least oneradiant panel forming the bottom to the cross-sectional area of the atleast two laterally applied side parts is therefore 3.

The radiator body according to the invention furthermore comprises atleast one layer insulating the radiator body.

In a preferred embodiment, this insulating layer is located on the sideof the radiator body according to the invention facing away from theroom to be thermally regulated. In a preferred embodiment, theinsulating layer is therefore located above the radiant panel, if theradiator body according to the invention is being used as a radiantceiling panel, and insulates the radiator body according to theinvention upward. In another possible embodiment, the insulating layerlies behind the radiant panel, if the radiator body according to theinvention is being used as a radiant wall panel, and insulates theradiator body according to the invention toward the rear.

According to the invention it is possible to use any material known tothe person skilled in the art, which is distinguished by easyprocessability and a high insulating effect, as an insulating layer.

Suitable insulating materials are for example selected from the groupconsisting of mineral wool such as rockwool, glass wool or fine glassfibers, perlites optionally adhesively bonded together, foamedpolyolefins, for example foamed polyethylene, foamed rubber or foamedpolystyrene, for example EPS or XPS, natural insulating materials, forexample wood fibers, hemp fibers, etc., cellulose fibers, vacuuminsulation panels, aerogels, xerogels based on silica or organicpolyaddition and polycondensation products, for example polyurethanes orpolyureas, optionally in foamed form, and mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment which is particularly preferred according to theinvention, at least one polyurethane is used as an insulating materialin the radiator body according to the invention.

Polyurethanes, particularly in foamed form, are known per se to theperson skilled in the art and, for example, described in DE 10 124 333.

Polyurethane-urea foams are particularly preferably used according tothe invention as an insulating material.

These can be produced on continuously operating double belt systems. Inthis case, the polyol and isocyanate components are dosed by ahigh-pressure machine and mixed in a mixing head. The polyol mixture themay have catalysts and/or blowing agents added to it beforehand byseparate pumps. The reaction mixture is applied continuously onto thelower cover layer. The lower cover layer, with the reaction mixture, andthe upper cover layer enter the double belt. Here, the reaction mixturefoams and sets. After leaving the double belt, the endless section iscut to the desired dimensions. In this way, it is possible to producesandwich elements with metal cover layers or insulating elements withflexible cover layers.

According to the invention, it is for example preferable to apply theendless section onto the at least one radiant panel, cf. the methodaccording to the invention for producing the radiator body according tothe invention.

In a discontinuous method, the starting components are usually mixed ata temperature of from 15 to 35° C., preferably from 20 to 30° C. Thereaction mixture may be cast using high- or low-pressure dosing machinesinto closed supporting tools. According to this technology, for example,sandwich elements are manufactured discontinuously.

Polyurethane foams, in particular hard polyurethane foams, have beenknown for a long time and are widely described in the literature. Theyare conventionally produced by reacting organic polyisocyanates a) withcompounds b1), usually polyols, having at least two hydrogen atoms thatcan react with isocyanate groups.

Polyvalent aromatic isocyanates are preferably suitable as organicpolyisocyanates a).

Specifically, the following may be mentioned by way of example: 2,4- and2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and the corresponding isomer mixtures,4,4′-, 2,4′- and 2,2′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and thecorresponding isomer mixtures, mixtures of 4,4′- and2,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanates, polyphenyl-polymethylenepolyisocyanates, mixtures of 4,4′-, 2,4′- and 2,2′-diphenylmethanediisocyanates and polyphenyl-polymethylene polyisocyanates (raw MDI) andmixtures of raw MDI and toluene diisocyanates. The organic di- andpolyisocyanates may be used individually or in the form of mixtures.

Often, so-called modified polyvalent isocyanates are used, i.e. productswhich are obtained by chemical reaction of organic di- and/orpolyisocyanates. Di- and/or polyisocyanates containing isocyanurateand/or urethane groups may be mentioned by way of example. The modifiedpolyisocyanates may optionally be mixed with one another or withunmodified polyisocyanates, for example 2,4′-, 4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate, raw MDI, 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate.

Reaction products of polyvalent isocyanates with polyvalent polyols, andmixtures thereof with other di- and polyisocyanates, may furthermore beemployed.

The organic polyisocyanate raw MDI having an NCO content of from 29 to33 wt % and a viscosity at 25° C. in the range of from 150 to 1000 mPa·shas proven particularly suitable.

As compounds b1) having at least two hydrogen atoms that can react withisocyanate groups, which can be employed together with the polyetheralcohols b1.1) used according to the invention, polyether alcoholsand/or polyester alcohols having OH numbers in the range of from 100 to1200 mgKOH/g may in particular be used.

The polyester alcohols employed together with the polyether alcoholsb1.1) used according to the invention are usually produced bycondensation of polyfunctional alcohols, preferably diols, having from 2to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, withpolyfunctional carboxylic acids having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, forexample succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaicacid, sebacic acid, decanedicarboxylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acidand preferably phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid andthe isomeric naphthalenedicarboxylic acids.

The polyester alcohols employed together with the polyether alcoholsb1.1) used according to the invention usually have a functionality ofbetween 2 and 8, in particular from 3 to 8.

In particular, it is possible to use polyether polyols b1.1) which areproduced according to known methods, for example by anionicpolymerization of alkylene oxides in the presence of catalysts,preferably alkali metal hydroxides, amines or so-called DMC catalysts.

Ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, preferably pure1,2-propylenoxide, are usually employed as alkylene oxides.

In particular, compounds having at least 3, preferably from 4 to 8hydroxyl groups or having at least two primary amino groups in themolecule may be used as starter molecules.

As starter molecules having at least 3, preferably from 4 to 8 hydroxylgroups, in the molecule, it is preferable to use trimethylpropane,glycerol, pentaerythritol, sugar compounds such as for example glucose,sorbitol, mannitol and saccharoses, polyvalent phenols, resols, forexample oligomeric condensation products of phenol and formaldehyde andMannich condensates of phenols, formaldehyde and dialkanolamines as wellas melamine.

As starter molecules having at least two primary amino groups in themolecule, it is preferable to use aromatic di- and/or polyamines, forexample phenylendiamine, 2,3-, 2,4-, 3,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine and4,4′-, 2,4′- and 2,2′-diamino-diphenylmethane as well as aliphatic di-and polyamines, such as ethylenediamine.

The polyether polyols have a functionality of preferably from 3 to 8 andhydroxyl numbers of preferably from 100 mg KOH/g to 1200 mg KOH/g and inparticular from 240 mg KOH/g to 570 mg KOH/g.

The compounds b1) having at least two hydrogen atoms that can react withisocyanate groups also include the chain extenders and crosslinkersoptionally used with them. In order to modify the mechanical properties,the addition of difunctional chain extenders, trifunctional orhigher-functional crosslinkers or optionally mixtures thereof may proveadvantageous. Alkanolamines and in particular diols and/or triols havingmolecular weights of less than 400, preferably from 60 to 300, arepreferably used as chain extenders and/or crosslinkers.

Chain extenders, crosslinkers or mixtures thereof are expediently usedin an amount of from 1 to 20 wt %, preferably from 2 to 5 wt %,expressed in terms of the polyol component b1).

Information about the polyether alcohols and polyester alcohols used, aswell as their production, may be found for example in Kunststoffhandbuch[Plastics Handbook], Volume 7 “Polyurethane” [Polyurethanes], edited byGünter Oertel, Carl-Hanser-Verlag Munich, 3^(rd) edition, 1993, pages 57to 74.

In another preferred embodiment, the polyurethanes preferably usedaccording to the invention contain further additives, for exampleselected from the group consisting of flameproofing agents,surface-active substances, foam stabilizers, cell regulators, fillers,pigments, dyes, anti-hydrolysis agents, antistatics, fungistatically andbacteriostatically acting agents and mixtures thereof.

Organic phosphoric acid and/or phosphoric acid esters may be employed asflameproofing agents. It is preferable to use compounds which do notreact with isocyanate groups. Phosphoric acid esters containing chlorinealso belong to the preferred compounds. Typical members of this group offlameproofing agents are triethyl phosphate, diphenyl cresyl phosphate,tris-(chloropropyl) phosphate and diethylethane phosphonate.

Besides these, it is also possible to use flameproofing agentscontaining bromine. Compounds having groups which react with theisocyanate group are preferably used as flameproofing agents containingbromine. Such compounds are esters of tetrabromophthalic acid withaliphatic diols and alkoxylation products of dibromobutenediol.Compounds which are derived from the family of brominated neopentylcompounds containing OH groups may also be used.

Conventional blowing agents, catalysts and cell stabilizers, and ifnecessary further auxiliaries and additives, are employed for theproduction of the polyurethanes preferably used as insulating materialaccording to the invention.

Water, which reacts with isocyanate groups to release carbon dioxide,may be used as a blowing agent. In combination with or instead of water,it is also possible to use so-called physical blowing agents. These arecompounds which are inert in relation to the components used, and whichusually are liquid at room temperature and evaporate under theconditions of the urethane reaction. Preferably, the boiling point ofthese compounds is below 50° C. The physical blowing agents also includecompounds which are gaseous at room temperature and are introduced underpressure into the components used, or are dissolved therein, for examplecarbon dioxide, low boiling point a1-kanes and fluoroalkanes.

The compounds are usually selected from the group containing alkanesand/or cycloalkanes having at least 4 carbon atoms, dialkyl ethers,esters, ketones, acetals, fluoroalkanes having from 1 to 8 carbon atomsand tetraalkylsilanes having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkylchain, in particular tetramethylsilane.

Examples which may be mentioned are: propane, n-butane, iso- andcyclobutane, n-, iso- and cyclopentane, cyclohexane, dimethyl ether,methyl ethyl ether, methyl butyl ether, methyl formate, acetone, andfluoroalkanes which can be broken down in the troposphere and aretherefore not detrimental to the ozone layer, such as trifluoromethane,difluoromethane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane,1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, difluoroethaneand heptafluoropropane. Said physical blowing agents may be usedseparately or in any desired combination with one another.

Compounds which greatly accelerate the reaction of the isocyanate groupswith the groups that react with isocyanate groups are in particular usedas catalysts. Such catalysts are for example strongly basic amines, forexample secondary aliphatic amines, imidazoles, amidines, andalkanolamines.

If isocyanurate groups are intended to be incorporated into the hardfoam, special catalysts are required. Metal carboxylates, in particularpotassium acetate and solutions thereof, are usually employed asisocyanurate catalysts.

The catalysts may, according to requirements, be used separately or inany desired mixtures with one another.

Substances known per se for this purpose may be used as furtheradditives, for example surface-active substances, foam stabilizers, cellregulators, fillers, pigments, dyes, flameproofing agents,anti-hydrolysis agents, antistatics, fungistatically andbacteriostatically acting agents.

More detailed information about a method for producing the polyurethanespreferably used according to the invention, as well as the startingsubstances, blowing agents, catalysts and auxiliaries and/or additivesused, may be found for example in Kunststoffhandbuch [PlasticsHandbook], Volume 7 “Polyurethane” [Polyurethanes], Carl-Hanser-VerlagMunich, 1^(st) edition, 1966, 2^(nd) edition, 1983 and 3^(rd) edition,1993, pages 104 to 192.

In order to produce the hard polyurethane foams, the polyisocyanates a)and the polyol component b) are reacted in amounts such that theisocyanate index is from 125 to 220, preferably from 145 to 195.

The hard polyurethane foams may be produced discontinuously orcontinuously with the aid of known mixing devices.

Conventionally, the hard PUR foams according to the invention areproduced according to the two-component method. In this method, thecompounds b1) having at least two hydrogen atoms that can react withisocyanate groups are mixed with the flameproofing agents, the blowingagents, the catalysts and the further auxiliaries and/or additives toform the polyol component b), and this is reacted with thepolyisocyanates or mixtures of the polyisocyanates and optionallyblowing agents, also referred to as the isocyanate component.

The starting components are usually mixed at a temperature of from 15 to35° C., preferably from 20 to 30° C. The reaction mixture may be cast inhigh- or low-pressure dosing machines into closed supporting tools.According to this technology, for example, sandwich elements aremanufactured discontinuously.

The reaction mixture may furthermore be cast or sprayed freely ontosurfaces or into open cavities. Both methods are suitable forapplication of the insulating layer onto the radiator body according tothe invention.

Continuous mixing of the isocyanate component with the polyol componentin order to produce sandwich or insulating elements on double beltsystems is also a preferred embodiment. In this technology, it isconventional to dose the catalysts and the blowing agents throughfurther dosing pumps into the polyol component. The original componentsmay in this case be divided into up to 8 individual components. Thefoaming formulations may, starting from the two-component method,readily be recalculated for the processing of multicomponent systems.

The density of the hard polyurethane foams preferably used according tothe invention is preferably from 10 to 400 kg/m³, particularlypreferably from 20 to 200 kg/m′, more particularly preferably from 30 to100 kg/m³.

Sandwich elements preferably used according to the invention have athickness of for example from 5 to 150 mm. Sandwich elements preferablyused according to the invention have a thickness of for example from 30to 60 kg/m³.

In general, the amount of insulating material provided will bedimensioned so that sufficient insulation is possible. In a preferredembodiment, there is insulating material over the entire length of theradiant panel, in which case it is possible for a region of for example5 to 50 mm to be left free of the insulating material at the start andend of the radiant panel, in order to permit bonding to a furtherradiator body. In another preferred embodiment, the insulating materialextends into the side parts. It is also possible according to theinvention for there to be a free space of for example 5 to 50 mm, inwhich there is no insulation, between the edge of the insulatingmaterial and the respective side part.

The thickness of the insulating material provided according to theinvention is for example from 10 mm to 200 mm, preferably from 15 mm to180 mm, particularly preferably from 20 mm to 150 mm, for example 50 mm.

Preferably according to the invention, the ratio of the area of theradiant panel, which is covered with insulating material, to the totalarea of the radiant panel is for example from 0.6 to 0.99, preferablyfrom 0.7 to 0.98, particularly preferably from 0.8 to 0.95.

In the second embodiment according to the invention, wherein the atleast two side parts are each decoupled thermally from the at least oneradiant panel, this thermal decoupling is carried out for example byapplying an insulating material between the radiant panel and the sidepart.

The present invention therefore preferably relates to the radiator bodyaccording to the invention, wherein the thermal decoupling of the atleast two side parts from the at least one radiant panel is carried outby applying at least one insulating material respectively between one ofthe at least two side parts and the at least one radiant panel.

All insulating materials which were mentioned in relation to theinsulating layer are suitable as thermal decoupling, the describedpolyurethanes or foamed polyolefins or foamed rubbers being particularlypreferred.

In this embodiment of the radiator body according to the invention, itis preferable to use the same insulating material for the thermaldecoupling as for the insulating layer, particularly preferably whenthis radiator body according to the invention is produced by thepreferably continuous method according to the invention.

The insulating material introduced for the thermal decoupling preferablyextends over the entire length of the radiator body according to theinvention.

The thickness, i.e. the height, of the insulating material introducedfor the thermal decoupling is for example from 1 to 100 mm, preferablyfrom 5 to 80 mm, particularly preferably from 8 to 50 mm.

The width of the insulating material introduced for the thermaldecoupling is for example from 10 to 200 mm, preferably from 15 to 150mm, particularly preferably from 20 to 100 mm.

In one embodiment, the radiator body according to the invention may becovered on the upper side, i.e. on the side which faces away from theroom to be thermally regulated, with a correspondingly shaped workpiece,for example a metal plate, a grid or a perforated plate, preferablyconsisting of the materials mentioned for the radiator panel or plasticsknown to the person skilled in the art. This covering may also becurved, for example in order to prevent balls from being trapped, forexample when the radiator body is used in sports halls.

It is also possible to provide an open-celled soft foam based onpolyurethane as an additional layer on top of the insulating materialprovided according to the invention, in particular a hard polyurethanefoam. This embodiment has the advantage that sound reduction isachieved. This is desirable for example against the noise in the hall aswell as against noise from outside the hall, for example rain whichfalls on the roof.

The radiator body according to the invention may furthermore comprisedevices suitable for fastening on the wall or ceiling, for exampleframes, threaded rods, suspension chains and hooks, metal plates,cables, screw connections and similar fastening systems known to theperson skilled in the art.

The radiator body according to the invention may optionally be providedwith a coating of, for example paint, on one, several or all sides, forexample in order to match the panels to the appearance of the hall.

On at least one of the two side parts provided, the radiator bodyaccording to the invention may have at least one reflector by which theheating or cooling energy undesirably emitted sideways is guided in thedirection of the room to be thermally regulated. In a preferredembodiment, such reflectors extend along the entire length of theradiator body according to the invention. The height of such a reflectoris for example from 20 to 200 mm, preferably from 30 to 150 mm,particularly preferably from 40 to 120 mm. Such a reflector may consistof the same material as the other components of the radiator bodyaccording to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the radiator body according to the inventionfurthermore comprises corresponding devices for feed and discharge ofthe heating or cooling medium, and optionally suitable devices formonitoring or controlling the radiator body, for example measurementsensors, thermostats, etc.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing theradiator body according to the invention, comprising at least thefollowing steps:

-   (A) shaping the at least one radiant panel,-   (B) introducing the at least one structure, suitable for receiving    at least one tube, into the radiant panel,-   (C) introducing the at least one tube for transporting a heating or    cooling medium into the at least one structure,-   (D) constructing the at least two side parts,-   (E) introducing the at least one insulating layer,

wherein the steps may be carried out in the order (A), (B), (C), (D) and(E) or in the order (A), (B), (D), (C) and (E) or in the order (A), (D),(B), (C) and (E), and/or optionally provided thermal decoupling betweenthe at least two laterally applied side parts and the at least oneradiant panel forming the bottom is respectively applied before step(D).

The individual steps and/or the entire method according to the inventionmay be carried out continuously or discontinuously. In a particularlypreferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, all theindividual steps and the entire method are carried out continuously.

With respect to the spatial arrangement of the general and preferredembodiments of the individual elements of the radiator body according tothe invention, the statements above apply.

The individual steps of the method according to the invention will bedescribed in detail below:

Step (A):

Step (A) of the method according to the invention comprises shaping ofthe at least one radiant panel.

Methods for shaping a corresponding radiant panel are known per se tothe person skilled in the art. According to the invention, the shapingaccording to step (A) is preferably carried out continuously, forexample by shaping a metal plate of the corresponding material, which ispreferably provided as a rollware, using corresponding rollers. Step (A)of the method according to the invention is preferably carried out at atemperature at which the material can advantageously be deformed, forexample at room temperature. Step (A) is preferably carried out so thatthe radiant panel according to the invention is obtained as endlessware.

Step (B):

Step (B) of the method according to the invention comprises introductionof the at least one structure, suitable for receiving at least one tube,into the radiant panel.

Step (B) is carried out in a preferred embodiment by delivering theradiant panel formed in step (A) continuously to step (B), preferably asendless ware. The at least one structure suitable for receiving at leastone tube is preferably introduced into the radiant panel, preferablycontinuously, using tools known to the person skilled in the art, forexample correspondingly structured roller systems, so that there ispreferably as large a contact area as possible with the tubes in thefinished state. It is in this context known to the person skilled in theart how the structures can be introduced into the radiant panel as afunction of whether they face in the direction of the room to bethermally regulated or in the opposite direction.

Step (C):

Step (C) of the method according to the invention comprises introductionof the at least one tube for transporting a heating or cooling mediuminto the at least one structure.

Step (C) of the method according to the invention is carried out in apreferred embodiment by delivering the radiant panel formed in step (B),which is provided with at least one corresponding structure,continuously to step (C), preferably as endless ware. The tubes suitablefor transporting a heating or cooling medium are then preferablyintroduced continuously into the structures by suitable transportdevices. If there are a plurality of tubes according to the invention,then these may be introduced simultaneously or successively.

It is also possible according to the invention to fasten the introducedtubes in the corresponding indentations, for example by welding,soldering or clamping.

Step (D):

Step (D) of the method according to the invention comprises constructionof the at least two side parts.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention,“construction” in step (D) means that the side parts are producedindependently of the radiant panel and are connected to the radiantpanel in step (D). In another embodiment of the invention,“construction” in step (D) means that the side parts are produced fromthe radiant panel, in particular from the lengthwise side edge regionsof the radiant panel, so that additional connection of the side parts tothe radiant panel is not necessary in this embodiment.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, step (D) iscarried out after step (A). In this embodiment, the at least two sideparts provided are constructed directly after shaping of the radiantpanel. This application may be carried out according to the invention bybending the edges of the radiant panel using suitable tools, so that apart of the material is reshaped to form the side parts on the two edgesof the radiant panel shaped in step (A).

In another possible embodiment, step (D) is carried out by producing theside parts in a preceding step and applying them to the radiant panel bymethods known to the person skilled in the art, for example welding,soldering, clamping, screwing, adhesive bonding and/or riveting. Thisprocedure is preferred in particular when thermal decoupling of theradiant panel and the side parts is carried out by introducing aninsulating material.

In a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, step(D) is carried out after step (B). In this embodiment, the at least twoside parts provided are applied after introducing the indentations intothe radiant panel. This application may be carried out according to theinvention by bending the edges of the radiant panel using suitabletools, so that a part of the material is reshaped to form the side partson the two edges of the radiant panel obtained in step (B). In anotherpossible embodiment, step (D) is carried out by producing the side partsin a preceding step and applying them to the radiant panel by methodsknown to the person skilled in the art, for example welding, soldering,clamping, screwing, adhesive bonding and/or riveting. This procedure ispreferred in particular when thermal decoupling of the radiant panel andthe side parts is carried out by introducing an insulating material.

In a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, step (D)is carried out after step (C). In this embodiment, the at least two sideparts provided are applied after introducing the tubes into the at leastone structure produced in the radiant panel. This application may becarried out according to the invention by bending the edges of theradiant panel using suitable tools, so that a part of the material isreshaped to form the side parts on the two edges of the radiant panelobtained in step (C). In another possible embodiment, step (D) iscarried out by producing the side parts in a preceding step and applyingthem to the radiant panel by methods known to the person skilled in theart, for example welding, soldering, clamping, screwing, adhesivebonding and/or riveting. This procedure is preferred in particular whenthermal decoupling of the radiant panel and the side parts is carriedout by introducing an insulating material.

If a radiator body in which there is thermal decoupling between the atleast two laterally applied side parts and the at least one radiantpanel forming the bottom is produced according to the invention, thenthe thermal decoupling will respectively be applied before step (D). Ina preferred embodiment, a suitably formed insulating material is used asthermal decoupling. In a preferred embodiment, this insulating materialis applied continuously on the radiant panel, before the at least twoside parts are applied according to step (D).

The introduction of thermal decoupling between a radiant panel and aside part is also preferred with discontinuous process management.

Step (E):

Step (E) of the method according to the invention comprises introductionof the at least one insulating layer.

Depending on the material which is used as the insulating layer, theinsulating material may be applied in finished form with the correctsize in a preceding step, for example by methods known for theinsulating materials in question. This embodiment is preferred whenusing mineral wool, adhesively bonded perlites and aerogels, foamedpolyolefins, natural insulating materials, polystyrenes andpolyurethanes. In this preferred embodiment, a suitably cut web ofinsulating material is placed continuously on the finished radiant paneland optionally adhesively bonded and fastened to the bottom and theother components which do not form the bottom.

If the method according to the invention is carried out continuously,then mineral wool or polyurethane will preferably be used as insulatingmaterial.

In another preferred embodiment, the insulating material used isproduced on the radiant panel in situ, preferably by polymerization ofsuitable precursor compounds. This procedure is particularly preferredwhen polymers, in particular polyurethane, are used as insulatingmaterial.

The in situ polymerization to produce polyurethane has already beenexplained in detail above.

Preferably, the polyurethane is produced in step (E) of the methodaccording to the invention on continuously operating double beltsystems. In this case, the polyol and isocyanate components are dosed bya high-pressure machine and mixed in a mixing head. The polyol mixturemay have catalysts and/or blowing agents added to it beforehand byseparate pumps. The reaction mixture is applied continuously onto thebaseplate (lower cover layer), i.e. the prepared radiant panel. Thelower cover layer, preferably including the tubes in the at least onestructure, with the reaction mixture, and the upper cover layer enterthe double belt. Here, the reaction mixture foams and sets. Owing to theradiant panel, the polyurethane is preferably provided in the correctdimension, and masking strips, for example foamed polyolefins, rubbers,may optionally be used on the sides.

A metal layer, for example, is applied as the cover layer.

The embodiment of the invention in which the insulating material ispolymerized and foamed in situ on the radiant panel has the advantagethat the insulating material makes a structural contribution to theradiator body according to the invention, so that thinner metal platescan be used as a radiant panel and/or side parts in this embodiment. Theradiator body according to the invention therefore overall has a lowerweight for the same or improved stability. The lower weight isadvantageous in particular for mounting on a hall ceiling, since theload on the hall structure is reduced by the weight of the radiatorbody.

The present invention also relates to the use of a radiator bodyaccording to the invention for heating or cooling.

For the case in which the radiator body according to the invention isintended to be used for heating, the heating medium which is conveyedthrough the tubes extending through the radiator body must have atemperature which is above the temperature of the room to be thermallyregulated. For example, the temperature must be at least 10° C.,preferably at least 20° C., particularly preferably at least 40° C.above the temperature of the room to be thermally regulated, the entrytemperature needing to be increased correspondingly with an increasingheight of the room to be thermally regulated.

If the radiator body according to the invention is used for cooling,then the temperature of the cooling medium to be conveyed through thetubes must be below the temperature of the room to be thermallyregulated. For example, the temperature must be at least 5° C.,preferably at least 10° C., particularly preferably at least 20° C.below the temperature of the room to be thermally regulated.

All heating and/or cooling media known to the person skilled in the artmay be used as the heating and/or cooling media. Particularly suitableheating and/or cooling media are, for example, selected from the groupconsisting of water, glycol, alcohols, oils, alkanes, partiallyhalogenated liquids and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferably, the radiator body according to the inventionmay be used to heat or cool rooms which have a particularly largeinternal height, for example halls such as sports halls, exhibitionhalls, production halls, assembly halls, storage halls, maintenancehalls, multipurpose halls, agricultural halls, hangars, industriallyused buildings or high-bay storage facilities.

The present invention therefore preferably relates to the use accordingto the invention in halls such as sports halls, exhibition halls,production halls, assembly halls, storage halls, maintenance halls,multipurpose halls, agricultural halls, hangars, industrially usedbuildings or high-bay storage facilities.

FIGURES

The invention will be described in more detail by FIGS. 1, 2 and 3according to the invention, but without these figures restricting theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional through a radiator bodyaccording to the invention, only an outer edge of the radiator bodyaccording to the invention being shown.

FIG. 2 shows a particular embodiment of the radiator body according tothe invention, in which the radiant panel forming the bottom is curvedin order to guide the thermal radiation in the direction of the room tobe thermally regulated.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional through a radiator bodyaccording to the invention, in which a radiant panel and a side part arethermally decoupled.

The references have the following meanings:

-   1 side part-   2 radiator panel forming the bottom-   3 tube for transporting the heating or cooling medium-   4 insulation-   5 radiant panel forming the bottom in a curved embodiment, for    steering the-   thermal radiation in the direction of the room to be thermally    regulated-   6 insulating material for the thermal decoupling-   a thickness of the side part-   b height of the side part-   c thickness of the radiant panel forming the bottom-   d average distance between two tubes, or between the outer tube and    the side part

1. A radiator body comprising at least one radiant panel having at leastone structure suitable for receiving at least one tube, at least onetube located in the structure in order to transport a heating or coolingmedium, at least two side parts and at least one layer insulating theradiator body, wherein the ratio of the average cross-sectional area ofthe at least one radiant panel to the cross-sectional area of the atleast two side parts is at least 3 and/or the at least two side partsare each decoupled thermally from the at least one radiant panel.
 2. Theradiator body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one radiantpanel forms the bottom.
 3. The radiator body as claimed in claim 1,wherein the at least one radiant panel has a thickness of from 0.5 to1.0 mm.
 4. The radiator body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at leasttwo side parts each have a thickness of from 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
 5. Theradiator body as claimed in claim 1, which is a radiant ceiling panel.6. The radiator body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thicknesses ofthe at least two side parts are each less than the thickness of the atleast one radiant panel.
 7. The radiator body as claimed in claim 1,wherein the at least one radiant panel comprises a material selectedfrom the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, zinc, tin, lead andmixtures thereof.
 8. The radiator body as claimed in claim 1 wherein thethermal decoupling of the at least two side parts from the at least oneradiant panel is carried out by applying at least one insulatingmaterial respectively between one of the at least two side parts and theat least one radiant panel.
 9. A method for producing a radiator body asclaimed in claim 1, comprising at least the following steps: (A) shapingthe at least one radiant panel, (B) introducing the at least onestructure, suitable for receiving at least one tube, into the radiantpanel, (C) introducing the at least one tube for transporting a heatingor cooling medium into the at least one structure, (D) constructing theat least two side parts, (E) introducing the at least one insulatinglayer, wherein the steps may be carried out in the order (A), (B), (C),(D) and (E) or in the order (A), (B), (D), (C) and (E) or in the order(A), (D), (B), (C) and (E), and/or optionally provided thermaldecoupling between the at least two laterally applied side parts and theat least one radiant panel forming the bottom is respectively appliedbefore step (D).
 10. The method of heating or cooling with the radiatorbody as claimed in claim 1 for heating or cooling.
 11. The method asclaimed in claim 10 in halls such as sports halls, exhibition halls,production halls, assembly halls, storage halls, maintenance halls,multipurpose halls, agricultural halls, hangars, industrially usedbuildings or high-bay storage facilities.